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(N1) Model.) 6 SheetsSheet 1. F. BARATHON, AINE. LIFE BUOY No. 541,340. Patented June 18, 1895.

1 m i i 1 m m i 1 m m f v W A 6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.) 7

F. BARATHON, AINE. LIFE BUOY- No. 541,340. Patented Jue 18, 1895.

INVENTOH A 77'OHNEYS.

NORRJS PETERS so. mom-urns" WASHlNGTCN. mc.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

F. BARATHON, AINE.

LIFE BUOY.

No. 541,340. Patented June 18, 1895.

INVENTOI'? ATTORNEYS.

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(Na Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 4. F. BARATHON, AINE. LIFE BUOY No. 541,340. Patented June 18, 1895.

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A TZ'OHNEYS.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

- P. BARATHON, AINE.

v LIFE BUOY. No. 541,340. I Patented June 18,1895.

INVENTOH M Ww $6 ATTORNEYS.

6 sheets sheet 6.

(No Model.)

F. BARATHON, AINE. LIFE BUOY.

No. 541,340. Patented June 18, 1895.

INVENTOH A TTOHNE YS.

T Nonms PETERS co, Puo'roumm. WASMINGYON. D. c.

UNITE STATES ATENT rrrcn.

LIFE-BUOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 541,340, dated June 18, 189 5.

Application filed January 24, 1895. Serial No. 536,064- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, FnAnools BARATHON, Ai'n, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Paris, France, have invented certain Improvements in Life-Buoys, of which the following is a'specification.

This invention relates to that class of devices which are adapted for use in case of shipwreck as a means of saving life, and the object of the invention is to provide a buoy or device of a simple and inexpensive nature which shall be adapted to support a person in the water, and which shall be provided with means whereby the person using the buoy may propel and steer the same.

The invention also comprises certain featu res of construction all as will be hereinafter fully described.

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in the claims.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I have illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the life-buoy in use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, drawn to a larger scale, showing the device complete. Fig. 3 is a front view of the device as seen in Fig. 2. View showing one of the cranks in its folded and open positions. Fig. 5 is a View representing in side elevation and plan the supporting-sleeve for connecting the seat with the casing of the apparatus. Fig. 6 is a view showing the preferred arrangement of the body-straps for securing the operator to the buoy. Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken longitudinally through the supporting-sleeve and propeller-shaft, showing the telescopic construction of the latter. Fig. 8 is a side elevation, and Fig. 9 is a plan, of the pedal detached. Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the pedal in its closed position. Figs. 11 and 12 are respectively a side elevation and front view showing a modified construction of the device. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing another form of life-buoy constructed according to my invention. FigsJlA and 15 are vertical and horizontal sections taken through the same, and Figs. 16 and 17 are perspective detail views showing attachments designed for use with the life-buoy.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail In the constructionillustrated in Figs. 1 to 10 the life buoy comprises a buoyant seat A in the form of an inflatable rubber bag having an air valve whereby it may be inflated and deflated in the usual manner, and the said seat A is provided with a metallic bearing sleeve a, wherein is revolubly mounted ashaft b, bearing at its rear end a paddle wheel or screw B. as clearly seen. The seat A is also provided with straps a, 01., adapted to pass over the shoulders of the person using the buoy, to which is connected a waist strap or band a whereby the operator may be prevented from being washed off the buoy. The forward end of the bearing sleeve a is bifurcated and its forks a are pivoted at 01. (Figs. 2 and 5) to the rear side of a casing F, and said sleeve a together with the seat A is nor mally held in a horizontal position relatively to the said casing by means of a spring a, connected at its rear end to the sleeve and having a perforation at its forward end adapted to receive a pin or projection mounted on a tie piece or strut a on the casing F. Thus it will be understood the seat A maybe folded up against the rear side of the casing when the device is not in use.

In order to permit the seat to'be folded it is evident that-the connection between the shaft 1) and the casing should also be flexible, and therefore I prefer to form said shaft 1) in a number of sections arranged to telescope with one another, as seen in Fig. 7. The rear section b to which the screw Bis fixed, is arranged to slide in the sleeve (2. to a limited extent, and its forward end is open to form a socket to receive the sliding section 11 having a collar b adapted to be set fast in the sleeve at when the device is in use. The forward end of section b has a ring 19 to receive a ring or hook b on the forward section b of said shaft, which sectionb is journaled on the casing F.

The casing F is in the form of an air tight or buoyant, chest or box, which not only aids in supporting the device but serves as asup port for the mechanical propelling devices of the buoy, being provided at its lower or under side with bearings fif, for the horizontal propeller shaft b and on its front side with other bearings f, f, for the vertical shaft,

comprising a main portion cand a lower section c", carrying at its lower end the screw C, adapted when rotated to uphold the buoy in the water. See Fig. 2.

The casing F extends upward above the seat A a sufficient distance to bring a crank shaft d, having cranks D for manual operation within easy reach of thehands,and at its upper part said casing is connected to the front-ends of the shonlderstraps a a, before referred to.

A mast f is stepped on the casing F, and a sail f is provided to be set thereon, so that when possible advantage may be taken of the wind for propelling the buoy, and a post f is also fixed to the casing and provided with means for supporting a signal light f as clearly seen in Fig. 2.

At its lower part the casing F is provided with a frame F extending down just behind the shaft 0, and at the lower part of said frame F, a slot f is provided in which a pedal shaft 6, is journaled having at its ends pedals E adapted to be engaged by the feet of the operator in order to propel the buoy. Sprocket wheels (1 and e are mounted on the espective shafts d and e and a chain E exends over said wheels whereby the said shafts are driven in unison. The crank shaft (Z is provided with a bevel gear 01 meshing with a bevel pinion a, mounted on the main portion 0 of the vertical shaft, whereby the said portion 0 is driven from the crank shaft, and at the lower part of easing F the shaft 0 is also provided with a bevel pinion c meshing with a bevel gear I), fixed on the forward end of shaft 1), whereby the latter shaft 1) may be driven from the said vertical shaft 0. The lower section 0* of shaft 0 is also provided with a bevel gear 0 meshing with wheel b on shaft b, whereby said section 0 carrying the screw 0 is normally indirectly connected to the main portion 0 of the vertical shaft, so as to permit said screw 0 to be driven at increased speed; but this is not essential and in Fig. 2 I have shown a short intermediate section or coupling 0 attached by a chain to the section 0* and provided with sockets at its ends to receive the adjacent ends of the main shaft 0 and section o whereby when it is desired, the lower gear a may be removed and the coupling section 0 arranged in place thereof to form a rigid connection between main shaft 0 and section 0".

A rudder G is mounted at the forward side of the casing F, being held on a vertical rod g, rotatively mounted in bearings on said casing as clearly seen, and said rod 9 is provided at its upper end with an operating lever g, adapted to be set fast to the casing F. A compass g is also mounted on the rod f just below the lantern f The pedals E are arranged to fold against the pedal levers e to which they are pivoted at c being held in operative position by springs e as clearly seen in Figs. 8 and 10,

when the device is in use, and a similar arrangement is employed with the crank handles D, which as seen in Fig. t are pivoted at d to the arms (:1 and held in position by perforated springs (1 The blades of the screws B and C are also pivoted to fold down upon the shafts b and 0 when not in use, whereby it will be seen the device is made to occupy the least possible bulk.

The preferred arrangement of the straps forsecuring the operator to the buoy is shown clearly in Fig. 6 which shows said device in side and rear elevation. The straps a and a in this construction are secured at their ends to a vertical standard a pivoted at its lower end to a clamping device, so as to accommodate the movements of the operator. The clamping device consists of two members a a pivoted at their upper ends and adapted to grip on the end of the sleeve a, the free ends of the members being connected by a screw a.

In Figs. 11 and 12, I have illustrated, in side and front elevation, a modified form of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 10, and this construction I will now describe, promising that I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate in these views certain parts of the device, as for instance, the seat A, screws B, O, and sectional shaft or, which would be mere duplications of the parts seen in Figs. 1 to 10. In this construction the casing F is removed to show the framework F thereof, at the upper part of which is journaled the crank shaft (1, having cranks D to be operated by hand. The wheel d is replaced by a larger wheel (1' geared by a chain d to a sprocket wheel h, on a shaft h journaled at the lower part of the frame F at right angles to the shaft 1), and geared thereto by means of bevel gears h*, b, on the respective shafts. The upper 'or main portion of thevertical shaft 0 seen in Fig. 1, will be omitted in this form of the device and the lower section a will be driven from wheel I) by gearing similar to that shown in Fig. 1. The pedal shaft 6 carries a large sprocket wheel e geared by a chain c, with the wheel it on shaft h whereby the device may be actuated either by hand or foot power or both as desired. The rudder GR in this construction is mounted on a vertical rod g journaled at the rear end of the sleeve a and provided with a cross rod 9 to the opposite ends of which are connected cords or wires 9 the forward ends of which are connected to the ends of a cross piece 9 fixed on the lower end of the vertical rod g, journaled in the frame F and provided with an operating lever 9, as clearly seen.

In Figs. 13 to 17,1 have shown yet another construction wherein the device is shown adapted to be compactly folded into an inclosing casing similar in form to a trunk. In this form of my invention, the casing or trunk I, has double walls, as seen in Figs. 15, so as casing I, is journaled on the bottom or end wall thereof, and carries a bevel gear 70 meshing with a similar gear wheel Z, on a vertical shaft Z, the upper end of which extends through the casing I and is provided with a crank L whereby the shaft Z may be turned. The sleeve M in this construction is similar to the sleeve a in the construction shown in Fig. 1 and is provided with forks 'm pivoted in the casing I and provided with looking levers m adapted to hold the cover in its extended position. The rudder N is mounted on a vertical rod n,journaled on the front side of the casing I, and provided with an operating lever 11, at its upper end, as seen in Fig. 13. The device is also provided with a mast, sail, signal light and compass, similarly to the device seen in Fig. 1. The screw 0 is however, omitted and in order to provide rests for the feet, stirrups i, are secured to opposite sides of easing I. The casing contains in its front a compartment 0, adapted to contain water, provisions, clothing or other articles, and this compartment has a removable top-plate 0' held in place by the rudder operating lever n or other convenient means.

In Fig. 16 I have shown a device to take the place of the straps a, a before described, for

"lieu of the devices above described and which consists of a blade R having a stem 1', suspended by means of a chain r from the buoy. The stem 1' is provided with a cross piece r to receive the feet of the operator whereby the buoy may be steered by the feet while propelled by hand.

From the above description it will be seen that my invention is susceptible of considerable alteration in its details without material departure from its spirit, and therefore I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement shown in carryingthe same into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a life buoy, the combination of the frame, a screw and its shaft mounted thereon, a crank shaft geared to the screw shaft, crank arms on the-crank shaft, crank handles pivoted on the arms, and perforated springs mounted on the arms and adapted to hold the crank handles in position, substantially as set forth.

2. In a life buoy, the combination of aframe, and a screw and its shaft journaled on the frame, said 'shaft being longitudinally movable, and said screw being composed of a series of pivoted blades adapted, when the shaft is moved longitudinally to be folded against the same, substantially as set forth.

3. In alife buoy, the combination ofaframe, a sleeve pivoted thereto, a buoyant seat held on said sleeve, a screw shaft extending 80 through the sleeve,a screw on said shaft, and

operating mechanism onthe frame geared to said screw shaft, substantially as set forth.

4. In a life buoy, the combination ofa frame,

a sleeve pivoted thereto, a buoyant seat held 8 5 on the sleeve, a telescopic sectional screw shaft extending through the sleeve, a screw on one end of the shaft, a pivoted connection between the members of said shaft whereby one section is adapted to fold with the sleeve buoyant casing having anopening in one side,

a seat hinged at one side of the opening and adapted to form a cover to close said opening,

in the casing, a screw shaft mounted on said cover, a screw on the end of said shaft, and

means for operating the shaft, substantially too as set forth.

6. In alife buoy, the combination of a frame,

having propelling devices, a seat pivoted to the frame at one side thereof and adapted to be folded against the outer side of the same,

and means for holding the seatin an unfolded position when the life buoy is in use, substantially as set forth.

7. In alife buoy, the combination of a frame,

a sleeve pivoted thereto, a buoyant seat held on said sleeve, a longitudinally movable screw shaft extending through the sleeve, op erating mechanism on the frame geared to the screw shaft, and a screw mounted on the shaft and composed of pivoted blades adapted, when the shaft-is moved longitudinally, to be folded down against the same, substantially as set forth.

8. In a life buoy, the combination of a frame, a sleeve pivoted thereto, a buoyant seat on the sleeve, a screw shaft rotatively mounted in the sleeve, operating mechanism geared to the screw shaft, said screw shaft being adapted to move longitudinally in the sleeve when the same is folded, and a screw mounted on said shaft and composed of pivoted blades adapted, when the shaft moves longitudinally in the sleeve, to be folded flat against said shaft, substantially as set forth.

9. In a life buoy, the combination of aframe having propelling devices, a folding seat on a screw shaft carried by said frame and provided with a screw, and gearing for driving propelling devices on the frame, substantially to said screw shaft from said propelling devices as set forth.

when said seat is in position for use,substan- In witness whereof I have hereunto set my tially as set forth. hand this 4th day of December, 1894.

10. In allfe ou033the comhina'uon of a frame 4 FRANCOIS BARATHON, Ami

having propelling devices, a folding seat pivoted thereto, a telescopic screw shaft carried Witnesses:

by said seat and provided with a screw, and LEON FRANCKLEN, gearing for driving said screw shaft from the CLYDE SHROPSHIRE. 

